Medical questions & health advice by board certified doctors

"What will paranoid schizophrenia do if untreated?"

Question

What can it cause?

Answer

Paranoid schizophrenia is a very unfortunate mental disease that affects less than 1% of the population. The characteristics of the condition include hallucinations, and inappropriate paranoid delusions. People that suffer from paranoid schizophrenia tend to not function well in society. They may have trouble holding on to a job, and may have trouble supporting themselves. This is why they unfortunately often become homeless or become institutionalized.
Modern treatments for schizophrenia include many medications that can help reduce the hallucinations and paranoia. Examples include clozapine, Seroquel, and olanzepine. These medications work for many people (at least partially), but must be taken regularly to have effect. The medications do not ever make the schizophrenia go away. Thus while they control symptoms, if someone where to stop the medications, the symptoms would return. If untreated, people with schizophrenia often go into social isolation and have trouble functioning in society.
If you think that someone you know is suffering from schizophrenia, you should schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist. This is the type of doctor that is most adept at both the diagnosis and treatment of someone with this disease. Regular appointments as well as contact with a support group are important for the overall care of the patient. I hope that helps.

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Zocdoc Answers is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor (in the United States) 911 immediately. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. Medical professionals who provide responses to health-related questions are intended third party beneficiaries with certain rights under Zocdoc’s Terms of Service.